Never Too Far Novel

Chapter 381

As such, Alex could only return to the office with Anastasia as he wondered why the lady wouldn’t want to continue waiting until the rain stopped at the café. At the same time, Anastasia set her eyes on the rain outside the window, knowing that the road ahead of them was barely visible no matter how fast the windscreen wipers were working. Therefore, she believed it would take Elliot about half an hour before he arrived at her father’s company. At the thought of that, she sent him a text message and told him to be careful. “Keep a cool head, Elliot. It’s pouring heavily now, and it’s too dangerous to drive.’

However, Anastasia’s message was met with silence as the man didn’t respond. Therefore, she couldn’t help but feel concerned about his safety while reprimanding him deep down for making her worried. You’re sick, Elliot, so why won’t you stay put and rest instead?

A few moments later, both of them arrived at Tillman Construction, whereupon Anastasia told Alex to return to the office and waited in the lobby. In the meantime, Alex could guess who she was waiting for as he wondered whether Elliot was really coming to meet her despite the heavy rain. After all, he would gloat over Elliot’s misery if something ever happened to him on the way.

Meanwhile, Anastasia looked outside the window anxiously as she didn’t see any car in sight. Nevertheless, she saw a black sedan coming her way in the rain fifteen minutes later. As the view slowly became clearer, Anastasia was able to identify Elliot’s Rolls-Royce Phantom and heaved a sigh of relief until she realized there was a truck parked in the lobby not long after it was unloaded. Because of that, Elliot couldn’t drive into the building and had no way of entering the lobby without getting wet.

Therefore, Anastasia anxiously looked around for the driver to get him to move the truck away, only to see the headlights of the man’s car going out in the rain. Then, Elliot ran toward the building without even taking an umbrella with him, putting Anastasia on edge as she desperately scurried through the door and was greeted by the man’s drenched appearance. At the same time, Elliot was happy to see her as she had been anxiously waiting for him despite his messy look.

“Why did you come here? Don’t you know it’s pouring outside?” Anastasia lectured the man.

However, Elliot reacted with a smile, looking at her with a tender expression on his face as water trickled down his hair. “Even if it puts my life at risk, I’ll do anything just to see you.”

Anastasia then took some tissue paper from her purse and wiped the man’s wet hair, as well as the water droplets on his shoulder. Suddenly, she felt the man’s arm wrapped around her waist shortly before she found herself in his tight embrace.

You…” Anastasia angrily looked up at Elliot.

“After all the mean things you said to me, you still can’t deny that you care about me.” Elliot fixed his eyes on her.

“I don’t.” She looked away guiltily.

“You do.” He planted a kiss on the lady’s forehead, not caring if there were people around them.

On the other hand, Alex was watching behind a pillar with his eyes fixed on the man and the woman during their lovey-dovey interaction in the lobby, clenching his fists without any idea that he was also being watched by someone from behind him.

It turned out that Erica had accidentally run into Alex and caught his jealous look when he was peeking at Elliot and Anastasia. Thus, she quickly approached Alex and seized his arm, stunning him as she dragged him to the stairs just next to them.

Upon closing the door behind her, Erica chuckled glacially and said, “You seem jealous, Mr. Hunter, but do you think my sister would even bother to look at someone like you? She is a snob who only has eyes for a rich and handsome man like Elliot.”

“What are you talking about, Miss Erica? I don’t quite follow.” Alex refused to admit his feelings.

However, Erica had witnessed his earlier reaction. She replied, “You saw just how sweet my older sister and Elliot were back there, didn’t you? However, you and I both know that you can never take Anastasia away from Elliot.”

Hearing the lady’s words, Alex was jealous yet helpless. After all, he had no choice but to admit Anastasia’s feelings for Elliot, judging from the sympathy she was showing him for meeting her in the rain despite refusing to pick up his call in the café earlier.

What else can I call that if not love?

Erica suddenly approached the man closer, seizing his arm while giving him a coy look. “Anastasia and I are both sisters from the Tillmans, so why don’t you consider dating me, Mr. Hunter? After all, I think I can be a good girlfriend just as much as my sister could be.”

“Let’s keep this civil, Miss Erica.” Alex shivered in that instant.

Nevertheless, Erica didn’t take her hand off Alex. Instead, she wrapped her arms around his neck in a seductive manner while resting her face on his shoulder. “My sister may not know how to appreciate you, Mr. Hunter, but I’m not like her. To me, you’re simply the kind of man I admire and look up to.”

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Alex kept his eyes fixed upon Erica, seemingly thinking about what to do with his next move. After all, he knew as well that he didn’t stand a chance to get closer to Anastasia at all with Elliot by her side, but now that Erica was approaching him, he began to see it as an opportunity. “Miss Erica, I’m just an ordinary man without anything worth admiring, so I wonder what makes you like me so much.” Alex let out a sigh.

“I’m not like my sister who only wants to marry a rich man. I, on the other hand, prefer to trust my own feelings when choosing my Mr. Right.” Erica then looked at Alex seductively. “Mr. Hunter, you’re exactly the type that I like.”

Upon hearing the lady’s words, Alex felt as if there was an electric shock that ran through his body. Although Erica was not considered a beauty like her sister was, Alex, whose nature as a man got the better of his rational mind, could not resist her advances.

In the meantime, Anastasia, who was still in the lobby, pushed Elliot aside after wiping the water off him and said, “Leave once the rain lets up.”

“Alright!” Elliot nodded obediently.

“Come on, let’s go to my lounge! It’s cold out here.” Anastasia took the man with her upstairs.

As soon as both of them arrived at a warmer place, Elliot took off his coat and revealed the dark shirt that accentuated his muscular physique beneath it. However, Anastasia looked away like she was trying to resist something. In fact, she was trying to resist the man’s charming and masculine aura deep down so that she wouldn’t fall further for him.

At that moment, Alex knocked on the door and entered the place despite knowing Elliot was around; he was going to deliberately ruin his private moment with Anastasia. After all, Erica was just a substitute to him since Anastasia was still the woman he loved. Nonetheless, Alex’s presence had put a frown on Elliot’s face as the latter immediately wrapped his arm around Anastasia while she made him some tea.

Before Anastasia could even finish making him tea, she lost her balance and sat on the man’s lap with the tea bag still in her hand. Just as she was about to lecture him, she noticed the coldness that filled his eyes before she quickly understood that it was Alex’s presence that put him on edge.

Okay, I guess that’s the nature of men. They can’t tolerate anyone else who sets foot on their turf, which is why this guy is trying to assert his dominance.

“You’re here, Mr. Presgrave.” Alex timidly greeted Elliot.

“I’ll stay here and keep Anastasia company. You may attend to your work now, Mr. Hunter,” Elliot coldly said to Alex.

“Alright!” Alex smiled, his face darkening the moment he turned around. It seems that Elliot really doesn’t give a damn about my presence.

Soon, Anastasia rose from her seat and reminded the man to behave. “Keep your mischief in check while you’re here. I wouldn’t want to be caught in a lovey-dovey situation with you.”

“What’s wrong with that? Are you worried that Mr. Hunter is going to get jealous?” Elliot grunted in an annoyed manner.

“Alex is just an employee in my father’s company. That makes us nothing more than colleagues,” Anastasia explained herself.

While Elliot believed in the lady, his pride and jealousy wouldn’t allow him to stand by and watch any man get close to Anastasia. Soon, he faked a cough and looked at the woman, trying to feel her concern just as the lady turned around and met his eyes.

“Don’t worry. I took my medication today.” Elliot assured Anastasia that he only had a cold, which persisted because of insufficient rest.

Soon, Anastasia poured him a glass of hot tea and said, “You’re your grandma’s only heir, so you should take good care of yourself, not to mention the fact that she is already in her twilight years.” Meanwhile, Elliot didn’t feel happy when he saw her glacial look even though she still cared about his family.

“Please don’t blame my grandma, Anastasia. I’m the one to blame instead.” Elliot tried to shoulder all the responsibility.

Am I supposed to blame a six-year-old kid for that incident back then? Nah! As a mother with a son, Anastasia could empathize with Elliot’s younger self and relate to the fear that was tormenting him.

“Can you still remember what happened back then?”

Elliot shook his head. “Actually, my grandma sought help from many psychiatrists and hypnotists for me at that time.” He closed his eyes as soon as he finished his sentence, seemingly trying to find the memory that was lost in his mind.

Anastasia’s eyes widened slightly before she seized the man’s arm. “That’s enough.”

“I’m sorry. If I could remember something, maybe I’ll know what happened back then.” Elliot looked up apologetically.

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Soon, Anastasia recalled her father’s words, remembering her mother had been urged to save an innocent life due to the urgent situation. After all, she knew her mother wouldn’t have stood by and watched while a six-year-old kid was about to get killed. Convinced that everyone had an instinct of protecting the weak, she believed her mother was motivated by the same reason before she risked herself to save an innocent life.

“I don’t blame you and your grandma.” Nonetheless, Anastasia couldn’t convince herself to let go of the past as Riley’s words made her realize she could never fall in love with Elliot. After all, she couldn’t get over the fact that he had indirectly caused her mother’s death, which held her back from falling in love with him because she thought it would be unfair to her late mother if she did that. “We could be friends,” Anastasia said.

Meanwhile, Elliot was annoyed by Anastasia’s reply, finding it ironic to hear because he was just trying to comfort her a few moments ago.

Friends? No way! I’ll never accept our relationship as friends!

“Well, I suppose friends can become lovers and marry each other later on. Don’t you think so?” Elliot emphasized his point.

Anastasia looked away and replied, “No. We’ll either be friends or strangers.”

Despite her cold reply, Elliot was able to empathize with Anastasia, knowing that Riley had said many unpleasant things to her that made her reject him. “Alright, I respect your wish. We’ll be friends then.” Elliot took a step back, but not before he demonstrated his authority over her by giving her an order. “However, if you’re ever going to marry someone, it’s going to be me and only me!”

Anastasia was rendered speechless by the man’s words, thinking his domineering and possessive character hadn’t changed one bit.

“The same goes for me. I’ll marry no one else but you,” Elliot soon added.

Anastasia’s face blushed as her embarrassment overwhelmed her even though she didn’t meet Elliot’s eyes. “My decision to get married is none of your concern. The same goes for yours,” Anastasia answered.

Elliot smiled and said, “Fine, we’ll just stay single for each other for the rest of our lives!”

Fine, he wins. While Anastasia helplessly patted her forehead, Francis entered the building from the rain. When he heard Elliot was in the lounge, he quickly came over to greet him. “I didn’t know you’d be here, Mr. Presgrave. Please make yourself at home.” Francis approached Elliot to shake his hand.

“You’re too kind, Mr. Tillman,” Elliot politely replied.

“Anastasia, please receive our guest, Mr. Presgrave.” Francis turned his attention to his daughter. Deep down, he sincerely hoped that her daughter would end up being together with Elliot upon leveraging the situation as a businessman. After all, Tillman Constructions would be backed by Elliot’s powerful influence if they got together. Besides that, he believed his grandchildren and daughter would be loved and treated well by the people of the Presgrave Family, considering their guilt for his wife.

“Sure, Father. Please leave me to it,” Anastasia answered. Just when Elliot was wondering how Anastasia would receive him after Francis left, he saw the lady looking at the rain that was letting up outside the window before she shifted her gaze to him. “Alright, the rain has let up. It’s time for you to go.”

Wait, what? Is this how she is going to receive her guest? By showing me the door? Elliot was rendered speechless. “I’m not leaving yet. I’m going to have lunch with you and accompany you to pick up Jared. Then, I’m going to have my dinner at your place later at night.” In fact, Elliot had figured out his plan for the day. His phone rang just then, whereupon he picked it up and said, “I’m not going back to the office today. Please cancel all my meetings.” Before Rey could remind Elliot about his work, the latter ended the call.

At the same time, Anastasia looked at the man with a stunned expression while wondering what he was up to. What’s this guy thinking? He still has a ton of things to handle back in his office! “I don’t need you to keep me company here, Elliot. Go ahead and attend to your business!” Anastasia didn’t want Elliot to waste his time accompanying her, only to work overtime at night.

“It’s okay. I’m willing to waste my time keeping you company.” Elliot raised his eyebrows slightly, telling the lady with the tenacious look on his face that he wasn’t about to give up. In the face of his stubbornness, Anastasia felt helpless without knowing what else she could do about it.

“Bourgeois is shifting to a new location, but we’ll be keeping your office space nonetheless. You’re welcome to work with us anytime.” Elliot offered Anastasia to return to Bourgeois so that no other man would get close to her.

“I’m going to stay in my father’s company to learn about business management for the time being.” Anastasia revealed her plans to remain in Francis’ company.

“Alright, I respect your decision,” Elliot said in a chivalrous manner.

“By the way, who is Aliona? The client that I was supposed to meet belonged to her, but I was kidnapped after that.” Anastasia mentioned Aliona to Elliot. Although she didn’t blame her, she was still mad about what had happened earlier.

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Elliot was stunned. “Shouldn’t you have dealt with your own client by yourself?”

“Nope! I was told by Felicia that the client was initially Aliona’s to deal with when I confronted and asked her about that earlier, but since my design caught the client’s eye, I was asked to take over the negotiation. Shortly after that, I was kidnapped by Riley’s henchmen at the rendezvous, which was a café where I was supposed to meet the client.” Anastasia’s eyes were filled with puzzlement. “How did they know I was going to show up at that café and park in that specific spot?”

daughter of my late father’s good friend, Lucas Dora, He raised her abroad. While Lucas is a respected senior to me, I heard from my grandma that they were close to

knitted her eyebrows, although she had

I’m going to investigate the matter with your client.” Elliot didn’t want to take any chances and put Anastasia

realized it was lunchtime. “There is a restaurant nearby. We can have lunch together,

look, Elliot smiled bitterly and said, “Alright, I’ll leave when we’re done with

Alex was watching them through the window in the office on the third floor. As he stared at Elliot’s car while the man drove away, Alex clenched his fists because Anastasia no longer seemed to be the same person he

men. It’s no wonder she doesn’t even bother looking

the restaurant, Anastasia made several detailed remarks when placing orders for Elliot’s meal, which indirectly revealed her subconscious concern for the man. At the same time, Elliot seemed

happened to meet his gaze, noticing his smiling face that was looking at her. In that instant, Anastasia

like that.” Anastasia blocked

wrong? Can’t I look at my future wife?” Elliot

Anastasia appeared annoyed, but despite her feelings, there was nothing

place that’s fun this weekend. Would you mind lending

was inviting her as well, for she knew the man

a friend that they are worth

to do something outside after staying home for so long. “Alright, go

“What about you?”

going to spend my holiday staying at home.” Anastasia was aware not to fall

desperate to win her heart over at all, but he knew that gaining her son’s favor would help him achieve his goal even faster. “Have you realized that Jared and I look alike? We

fact that her son liked Elliot very much. “Well, that’s because people who are handsome look alike,” Anastasia replied, complimenting her son

her back to Tillman Constructions. Before she got out of the car, he reminded her to keep her distance from Alex. “Stay away from

Anastasia only looked askance at Elliot in an annoyed manner, feeling helpless with his possessiveness and

over my father’s company

be careful on the road

knew Anastasia still had him in her heart even

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he should really keep his jealousy in

office to find Erica tugging their

what Anastasia can. Please

it out

biased, Dad. Hmph! You don’t love me at all. All you care about is Anastasia,” Erica whined as she

coaxed Erica when he saw Anastasia. “Okay, okay, we’ll talk about

left? A few clients will be coming in the afternoon. You should get to know

eyes upon hearing her father’s words. Sure enough, Dad sees

introduce them to

first.” Galled, Francis tried to send

to do with the company? She had long wanted to leave, for she had zero interest in things

case, I’ll go and look for Mr. Hunter!” Erica now put her focus on

Erica left, Francis turned to Anastasia.

right at that. She swore nothing could escape her

of instinct, and it has nothing to do with anyone. If she’s watching, she’d want you

so?” Anastasia looked over to her father,

Master Presgrave treating you and Jared well for your whole lives. At the very least, he won’t let

her father’s words, the sadness and hesitation within Anastasia had alleviated. Riley had merely said those words to separate

The one who

get it,

good.” Just then, Francis’ phone rang. He picked up the

and have lunch with

followed her father to meet some of his important clients while Erica hung out in Alex’s office, having no intention of

you

papers.” The

that and sat down next to him, resting her hand

you’re doing. We’re at the office.” Despite saying so, Alex

missing the comfort of a man lately, and she was beginning to find Alex pleasing to the eye. “Does it scare you to live alone, Mr. Hunter? Would you like me to keep you

into his ear, “We can do

at Erica. Though she wasn’t as beautiful as Anastasia, she wasn’t unattractive either. Naturally, how could he resist the temptation when she was offering herself on a silver platter? He was no gentleman

side, it was even

effective way to

do you really like me?” Alex looked at Erica with a blazing gaze as he held

went soft in an instant and fell into his arms. “Of course! You’re so capable. Plus,

Chapter 386

in him. From now on, he’d work with this mother and daughter duo to secure Tillman Constructions for

office. He wanted her to dig into Aliona’s client and why did the kidnapping happen at the café’s

dismissive of it. She promptly asked Aliona for her client’s profile, which Aliona passed to

did you

came to me first. We met at a

you familiar

Is everything alright, Felicia?” Aliona feigned

work.” Felicia thought she shouldn’t let on more. It seemed that she’d

had been having a tough time lately, for the failed kidnapping caused her godfather to be detained. Riley’s subordinates even delivered a message to her, saying that she’d have to continue the rest of the path on

Elliot’s heart was a piece of cake when she was living abroad, but ever since Anastasia entered the picture, all Elliot cared

Felicia met up with the client that afternoon. Since Aliona had talked to the

and sent him the

gone wrong somewhere, especially

Rey, “Dig into this client.” She was in her early fifties. Judging by the woman’s age, she was likely Riley’s acquaintance, and Riley must’ve had her lure Anastasia to that

sense when he put it

asked for leave in the afternoon

composed upon seeing Lucas at the café. “Lucas, my godfather’s been taken into custody now. From now on,

me my son’s footage, or I

are in our hands. Now that my godfather has handed all the power to me, I can do things however I please.” Malice laced Aliona’s eyes as she held

his fists, but he was like a heaving old dragon being grabbed by the throat, unable

exactly do you want

a chance to get close to Elliot so that

custody, why don’t you take over his business? We can make a good deal, and you don’t have to worry about anything for the rest of

not, there’s nothing we can talk about.” What Aliona was asking for was daylight robbery. What was more, she was planning

easy to get close

me the chance.” Aliona bore into him. “Think about your family

give in. “Alright! I’ve been organizing a charity event lately, and I’ll

sure you know what to do if

out when my son is in your hands.” Lucas closed his eyes. What

Chapter 387

she took the next step. She had to bear Elliot’s child quickly, for Riley was still waiting for her to bail him

Hayley removed her bandage for the first time a week after her

still swollen, but her nose had become taller, her lips were now

at that—she was finally beautiful. Though it wasn’t as good-looking as Anastasia’s all-natural face,

her swelling was gone entirely, she’d

was that the results were far better than she had expected, and she’d be able to

similar

when she sees my face? Will

love at one point once her face had healed entirely and was at

suddenly had the urge to

A perfect ten,” said

Hayley suddenly stopped smiling, and the happiness was gone in a split

put, praising her would be like praising

would only remind her of Anastasia’s perfect, all-natural face whenever anyone praised

her phone rang all of a

he doing

she still answered the call

I hang out

time at

and I’ll be passing by your place on my way home. I want to see

you just see

isn’t a second that I don’t stop thinking about seeing you.” Elliot became the embodiment of

the other hand, was

have a child by now

come up then.” Finally, she

elated Elliot responded,

a regular night turned exciting

after that, Anastasia got up to make tea and cut up

the peephole, and sure enough, a certain someone

eye-catching thing would be the latest set of Legos. Elliot carried two sets in his hand while Rey followed

didn’t know how to react upon seeing

“Jared loves them.”

spoil him,” she pointed

in as well,

boss had come to spend some quality time with Miss Tillman? He’d like to live a

saw the lego sets on the couch. “Wow! I love you so

to shake her head.

have to promise me one thing now that you’ve taken my presents. Listen to your mom, and don’t ever make her

Chapter 388

listen to Mommy and not make her

boy. Go on, have

Legos he was most interested in and went into his room. Meanwhile, Anastasia stored the rest of the presents in the storage cabinet. Although Elliot looked visibly better now, she still asked out of concern, “Have you

all gone now,” Elliot said with a smile. “All thanks to

his fathomless gaze. “I didn’t

in this world.”

bowl of fruit to him.